Convincing Your Community to Make A Positive Step

As a new Police Chief in 2000, Tom Clemons was disappointed in the relationship between his department and the youth of Wrangell, Alaska: instead of seeing the local officers as protectors and friends, most of the young people in his community saw police officers as the enemy. Recognizing that this sort of animosity was sure to create problems down the road, Chief Clemons decided to find a way to bring officers and young people together.

He began with an understanding that there were many aspects of law enforcement that young people find interesting. By inviting officers into the classroom to share their experiences and knowledge, he hoped to get the kids to let their guard down. But without a fully developed plan to follow, Chief Clemons knew that his new program would fail.

While attempting to develop a program that would speak to the young people of his community, Chief Clemons discovered the Junior Police Academy. By combining the lessons offered by JPA with materials personalized for the kids in his community, he created a one-of-a-kind program that is helping to bridge that tremendous gap between today’s youth and law enforcement officers.

As Chief Clemmons quickly discovered, it takes more than the will of one dedicated police officer to make a program like his work. Community leaders, school administrators, teachers and parents were all included in the process and as a result, Wrangell embraced the program as a cherished part of its school curriculum.